WhatsApp testing guest chats that let you message people without accounts

WhatsApp is testing a new feature called guest chats that allows users to message people who do not have a WhatsApp account. The feature lets a WhatsApp user generate a chat link and share it with someone through SMS, email, or another messaging app. When the recipient opens the link, they can start a conversation through WhatsApp Web without creating an account.

This system aims to make communication easier between WhatsApp users and people who have never joined the platform. The invited person opens the link in a browser, accepts WhatsApp’s terms, enters a name, and then starts the chat session as a guest. Once the conversation begins, WhatsApp clearly labels the participant as “Guest” so the account holder understands that the person is not registered on the service.

According to WABetaInfo, the feature has started appearing for a limited number of beta testers on iOS TestFlight, Android beta builds, and the web beta version.

“Once users continue as a guest, WhatsApp Web generates a unique identifier that’s used to create the encryption key. This means that guest chats are secured by end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp cannot see the content of the messages, and only the participants in the conversation can read them.”

This approach keeps conversations private even when the guest does not have a full WhatsApp account. The encryption key gets created when the guest opens the chat link and starts the session through the web interface.

How WhatsApp guest chats work

Guest chats follow a simple process designed for quick conversations.

• A WhatsApp user creates a chat link from the “Invite a friend” section.
• The link gets shared through SMS, email, or another messaging service.
• The recipient opens the link and chooses “continue as guest.”
• The guest enters a name and starts the chat in WhatsApp Web.

Importantly, the guest must start the conversation after opening the link. The inviter cannot send the first message.

Current limitations of guest chats

WhatsApp keeps guest chats simple and temporary, so the feature lacks many normal messaging tools.

• No group chats
• No voice messages
• No attachments like photos, videos, documents, GIFs, or stickers
• No voice or video calls
• Chat expires after 10 days of inactivity

Anyone who receives the invite link can join the conversation, so users should share the link carefully and confirm they are speaking with the intended person.

WhatsApp currently offers guest chats to a limited number of beta testers on Android, iOS, and the web. The company has not shared a timeline for a wider rollout.